{"schemaVersion":"jobsearcher.job.v1","id":"9afd51d6832e6ccef37acb8b","url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/9afd51d6832e6ccef37acb8b","canonicalUrl":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/9afd51d6832e6ccef37acb8b","title":"Research Professor, Steward Observatory (Career-Track)","description":"Research Professor, Steward Observatory (Career-Track)\nPosition Highlights\nThe University of Arizona's Steward Observatory invites candidates to apply for the role of Research Professor. In this position, the successful candidate will support ground-based instrumentation and observatory operations in the Large Fiber Array Spectroscopic Telescope project (LFAST). LFAST is a project designing and building optical array telescopes. The project is currently building and planning to operate the first prototype, LFAST-20X, which is comprised of 20 individual telescopes with collecting area equivalent to a 3.5 m telescope.\n\nThe faculty member will be a senior member of the LFAST team, working closely with astronomers, students, technical staff, data scientists, and end users to design, implement, and ensure smooth instrument operations for the LFAST-20X observatory and future arrays that may be developed in the coming years. As a senior member of the LFAST team, the successful candidate will play an active role in defining strategic priorities for the project.\n\nThe successful applicant will require knowledge of both standard and queue-based observatory operations and should have extensive familiarity with medium- and high-resolution spectrographs operating at visible and near-infrared wavelengths. The CSHELL near-infrared spectrograph is currently being revitalized for use as the LFAST-20X commissioning instrument. They should understand and have experience with the full lifecycle of an astronomical scientific observation, from conception, to planning and execution, through data delivery and processing into derived products useful for scientific investigation. They should also have experience participating in and supporting instrumentation and facility reviews for similar types of facilities.\n\nSteward Observatory provides direct access to various world-class facilities for ground-based radio and optical observing. Among these are the Large Binocular Telescope and 6.5 m-aperture telescopes located in both the northern and southern hemispheres. Applicants would be eligible and encouraged to submit their own science proposals and lead independent research programs, including seeking external funding for novel investigations.\n\nThis career-track appointment is not eligible for tenure. This position may be eligible for a hybrid work assignment in conversation with the supervisor.\nThis position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.\n\nOutstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!\n\nThe University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please click here .\n\nDuties & Responsibilities\n\nSupport development and operation of the LFAST-20X observatory and future arrays that may be developed in the coming years.\n\nWork across the LFAST team (faculty, students, engineers, and technical staff), with external stakeholders, and with the community of LFAST users to enable science from conception through data analysis.\n\nLead the integration and operations of LFAST-20X spectrographs.\n\nParticipate at a leadership level in internal and external facility and operations reviews.\n\nMinimum Qualifications\n\nPh.D. in astronomy, optics, physics, engineering, or a related field.\n\nMinimum of 15 years of experience in using and/or operating ground-based optical and near-infrared spectrographs.\n\nExperience participating in and/or supporting observatory and instrumentation facility reviews.\n\nExperience developing and operating data analysis pipelines for astronomical data.\n\nExperience with standard practices for observatory operations and data collection.\n\nPreferred Qualifications\n\nExperience using or operating the CSHELL spectrograph or equivalent near-IR instruments.\n\nExperience leading teams of engineers and researchers, managing priorities, and tracking outcomes.\n\nExperience in modern software practices and documentation including Python and Git.\n\nExperience mentoring students, postdocs, junior engineers, and faculty.\n\nExperience commissioning new ground-based observatories and/or instrumentation.\n\nJob Details\nLocation: Tucson Campus\nAddress: Tucson, AZ USA\n\nRank: Professor\n\nTenure Information: Career-Track (CT)\n\nFLSA: Exempt\n\nFull Time/Part Time: Full Time\n\nNumber of Hours Worked per Week: 40\n\nJob FTE: 1.0\n\nWork Calendar: Fiscal\n\nJob Category: Faculty\n\nBenefits Eligible: Yes - Full Benefits\n\nRate of Pay: DOE\n\nCompensation Type: salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE)\n\nType of criminal background check required: Name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive)\n\nNumber of Vacancies: 1\n\nTarget Hire Date: 9/8/2026\n\nOpen Date: 8/10/2026\n\nOpen Until Filled: Yes\n\nContact Information for Candidates\nChad Bender\nAstronomer, Steward Observatory\ncbender@arizona.edu\n\nNotice of Availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report\nIn compliance with the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act (Clery Act), each year the University of Arizona releases an Annual Security Report (ASR) for each of the University's campuses. Thesereports disclose information including Clery crime statistics for the previous three calendar years and policies, procedures, and programs the University uses to keep students and employees safe, including how to report crimes or other emergencies and resources for crime victims. As a campus with residential housing facilities, the Main Campus ASR also includes a combined Annual Fire Safety report with information on fire statistics and fire safety systems, policies, and procedures.\nPaper copies of the Reports can be obtained by contacting the University Compliance Office at cleryact@arizona.edu.\n\n#J-18808-Ljbffr","company":"Phase2 Technology","rawCompany":"phase2 technology","city":"Tucson","state":"AZ","isRemote":false,"isActive":false,"createdAt":"2026-08-18T03:43:21.553Z","occupations":[{"code":"19-2011.00","title":"Astronomers","slug":"astronomers"},{"code":"19-2099.00","title":"Physical Scientists, All Other","slug":"physical-scientists-all-other"},{"code":"19-2012.00","title":"Physicists","slug":"physicists"}],"industries":[{"code":"611310","title":"Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools","slug":"colleges-universities-and-professional-schools"},{"code":"541715","title":"Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)","slug":"research-and-development-in-the-physical-engineering-and-life-sciences-except-nanotechnology-and-biotechnology"},{"code":"927110","title":"Space Research and Technology","slug":"space-research-and-technology"}],"jobPosting":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"JobPosting","title":"Research Professor, Steward Observatory (Career-Track)","description":"Research Professor, Steward Observatory (Career-Track)\nPosition Highlights\nThe University of Arizona's Steward Observatory invites candidates to apply for the role of Research Professor. In this position, the successful candidate will support ground-based instrumentation and observatory operations in the Large Fiber Array Spectroscopic Telescope project (LFAST). LFAST is a project designing and building optical array telescopes. The project is currently building and planning to operate the first prototype, LFAST-20X, which is comprised of 20 individual telescopes with collecting area equivalent to a 3.5 m telescope.\n\nThe faculty member will be a senior member of the LFAST team, working closely with astronomers, students, technical staff, data scientists, and end users to design, implement, and ensure smooth instrument operations for the LFAST-20X observatory and future arrays that may be developed in the coming years. As a senior member of the LFAST team, the successful candidate will play an active role in defining strategic priorities for the project.\n\nThe successful applicant will require knowledge of both standard and queue-based observatory operations and should have extensive familiarity with medium- and high-resolution spectrographs operating at visible and near-infrared wavelengths. The CSHELL near-infrared spectrograph is currently being revitalized for use as the LFAST-20X commissioning instrument. They should understand and have experience with the full lifecycle of an astronomical scientific observation, from conception, to planning and execution, through data delivery and processing into derived products useful for scientific investigation. They should also have experience participating in and supporting instrumentation and facility reviews for similar types of facilities.\n\nSteward Observatory provides direct access to various world-class facilities for ground-based radio and optical observing. Among these are the Large Binocular Telescope and 6.5 m-aperture telescopes located in both the northern and southern hemispheres. Applicants would be eligible and encouraged to submit their own science proposals and lead independent research programs, including seeking external funding for novel investigations.\n\nThis career-track appointment is not eligible for tenure. This position may be eligible for a hybrid work assignment in conversation with the supervisor.\nThis position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.\n\nOutstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!\n\nThe University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please click here .\n\nDuties & Responsibilities\n\nSupport development and operation of the LFAST-20X observatory and future arrays that may be developed in the coming years.\n\nWork across the LFAST team (faculty, students, engineers, and technical staff), with external stakeholders, and with the community of LFAST users to enable science from conception through data analysis.\n\nLead the integration and operations of LFAST-20X spectrographs.\n\nParticipate at a leadership level in internal and external facility and operations reviews.\n\nMinimum Qualifications\n\nPh.D. in astronomy, optics, physics, engineering, or a related field.\n\nMinimum of 15 years of experience in using and/or operating ground-based optical and near-infrared spectrographs.\n\nExperience participating in and/or supporting observatory and instrumentation facility reviews.\n\nExperience developing and operating data analysis pipelines for astronomical data.\n\nExperience with standard practices for observatory operations and data collection.\n\nPreferred Qualifications\n\nExperience using or operating the CSHELL spectrograph or equivalent near-IR instruments.\n\nExperience leading teams of engineers and researchers, managing priorities, and tracking outcomes.\n\nExperience in modern software practices and documentation including Python and Git.\n\nExperience mentoring students, postdocs, junior engineers, and faculty.\n\nExperience commissioning new ground-based observatories and/or instrumentation.\n\nJob Details\nLocation: Tucson Campus\nAddress: Tucson, AZ USA\n\nRank: Professor\n\nTenure Information: Career-Track (CT)\n\nFLSA: Exempt\n\nFull Time/Part Time: Full Time\n\nNumber of Hours Worked per Week: 40\n\nJob FTE: 1.0\n\nWork Calendar: Fiscal\n\nJob Category: Faculty\n\nBenefits Eligible: Yes - Full Benefits\n\nRate of Pay: DOE\n\nCompensation Type: salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE)\n\nType of criminal background check required: Name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive)\n\nNumber of Vacancies: 1\n\nTarget Hire Date: 9/8/2026\n\nOpen Date: 8/10/2026\n\nOpen Until Filled: Yes\n\nContact Information for Candidates\nChad Bender\nAstronomer, Steward Observatory\ncbender@arizona.edu\n\nNotice of Availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report\nIn compliance with the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act (Clery Act), each year the University of Arizona releases an Annual Security Report (ASR) for each of the University's campuses. Thesereports disclose information including Clery crime statistics for the previous three calendar years and policies, procedures, and programs the University uses to keep students and employees safe, including how to report crimes or other emergencies and resources for crime victims. As a campus with residential housing facilities, the Main Campus ASR also includes a combined Annual Fire Safety report with information on fire statistics and fire safety systems, policies, and procedures.\nPaper copies of the Reports can be obtained by contacting the University Compliance Office at cleryact@arizona.edu.\n\n#J-18808-Ljbffr","datePosted":"2026-08-18T03:43:21.553Z","dateModified":"2026-08-18T03:43:21.553Z","hiringOrganization":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Phase2 Technology","sameAs":"https://jobsearcher.com"},"jobLocation":{"@type":"Place","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressLocality":"Tucson","addressRegion":"AZ","addressCountry":"US"}},"identifier":{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"JobSearcher","value":"9afd51d6832e6ccef37acb8b"},"url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/9afd51d6832e6ccef37acb8b"}}